Etta Sue Lowe

Etta Sue Lowe, 91, of Quincy and formerly of Macomb passed away at 3:40 p.m. on Sunday, March 17, 2013, at the Illinois Veteran’s Home.

She was born on March 30, 1921, in Pottsville, Ark., to Joseph Arthur and Sallie Ann Porter Pryor. She married Ross Eugene Lowe on Sept. 20, 1950, in Pottsville, Ark.; he passed away on Aug. 21, 2008.

She was also preceded by her parents; two sisters and two brothers.

She is survived by son Robert Ross Lowe of Lipscomb, Ala., and sister-in-law Helen Pryor of Little Rock, Ark.

She lived her early life in Pottsville, Ark., before moving to Macomb and then to Quincy. Etta Sue joined the family’s church, a branch of the Methodist Church which no longer exists, at age 7. She has been a Methodist ever since and often taught in Sunday school, participated in women’s church societies and did other church related work.

She was a 4-H member as a teenager, turkeys being her major interest and financed her junior college education from the proceeds of her flock. She also raised jersey cattle.

She graduated from Pottsville High School, Arkansas Tech Junior College and George Peabody College for Teachers, receiving B.S and M.A. degrees from the last.

Etta Sue was an elementary teacher before her marriage and taught occasionally over the years as the family moved about to further Ross’s education or to get more varied experience in his field. The best opportunities for that usually necessitated moves across state lines. Altogether, in twelve years she lived in six states. She worked with her husband in several publishing and educational projects. Otherwise, she was strictly a homemaker.

She participated in the Women’s Health Initiative program, serving the University of Iowa branch of that organization.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 22, at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, Ill., with the Rev. Vaughn Beeman officiating. There will be no visitation.

Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home in Macomb is in charge of arrangements.

You may leave condolences and sign the guest book online at clugston-tibbittsfh.com.